My breath caught in my throat, and I felt a sudden warmth sting behind my eyes.

Daniel smiled down at us, his hand resting gently on Chloe’s shoulder.

Before I could speak, the quiet hum of the house was shattered by a loud, insistent knock at the front door.

Daniel frowned, looking toward the entryway.

The brass knocker rattled against the wood again, harder this time.

Daniel squeezed my shoulder gently before he stepped away toward the front hallway.

I stayed on the living room rug with Chloe, my fingers still resting on the edge of her green poster board.

“Do you like the tree, Victoria?” she asked, her blue eyes searching my face.

“I love it, sweetie,” I said, my voice a little thick. “It is the most beautiful tree I have ever seen.”

She beamed, her small chest rising with pride as she smoothed down a loose corner of the white card.

In the hallway, the heavy front door creaked open.

I heard the low rumble of Daniel’s voice, followed by a lighter, unfamiliar voice.

“Delivery for Mr. Morrison,” a man said from the porch. “Sign here, please.”